Can I Do My Own Background Checks?

I work for a company that performs background checks. Many times, I speak to people on the phone that ask me if they can perform their own background checks. I tell them that it is possible for them to get some of the information that they will need when checking backgrounds on prospective employees, but they will spend a large amount of time doing so. I advise them that it would be much less time consuming, and in the long run, more cost effective, if they would retain the services of a professional company who specializes in performing background checks.